Villain of London's East End during the 1960's and former associate from childhood of the legendary Kray twins. His birth name was George Myers. Cornell moved to South London, and joined the gang of "Mad" Frankie Fraser and Eddie Richardson, arch enemy of the Kray's. Cornell would often talk down to the Krays whenever they tried to muscle in on any dealings with Fraser and Richardson. This displeased the Kray's, particularly Ronnie. Rumour was spreading that Cornell had been calling Ronnie Kray terrible names and mocking him. When Ronnie got word of this it finally made his mind-up that Cornell was to be killed. On the night of the 9th March, 1966, Ronnie got word that Cornell was drinking in the Blind Beggar pub, in the heart of the East End. Ronnie summoned one of his drivers, John 'Scotch Jack' Dickson to take him there along with Ian Barrie his right-hand man. When they arrived at The Blind Beggar, Dickson waited outside while Ronnie and Ian Barrie went inside. Cornell and Albie Woods (fellow Richardson gang member) were seated at the bar. When Cornell saw Ronnie he calmly said, "Well look who's here" in a sneering sort of way. Ronnie did not say a word. He took a 9mm Mauser pistol from his pocket and shot Cornell. Ian Barrie fired some shots into the ceiling. They both turned around and walked out as calmly as they had walked in.There was a record playing on the juke box that had been hit by one of the ricocheting bullets. It was 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore' by the Walker Brothers and it kept repeating, "the sun ain't gonna shine any more...any more...any more..." It wasn't long before Ronnie was arrested and put on an identification parade. The witnesses couldn't (more likely wouldn't) identify Ronnie and he was released, a sign of the hold and respect East Ender's had for the Kray Twins. Kray was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder three years later and remained in prison until his death in 1995.
Villain of London's East End during the 1960's and former associate from childhood of the legendary Kray twins. His birth name was George Myers. Cornell moved to South London, and joined the gang of "Mad" Frankie Fraser and Eddie Richardson, arch enemy of the Kray's. Cornell would often talk down to the Krays whenever they tried to muscle in on any dealings with Fraser and Richardson. This displeased the Kray's, particularly Ronnie. Rumour was spreading that Cornell had been calling Ronnie Kray terrible names and mocking him. When Ronnie got word of this it finally made his mind-up that Cornell was to be killed. On the night of the 9th March, 1966, Ronnie got word that Cornell was drinking in the Blind Beggar pub, in the heart of the East End. Ronnie summoned one of his drivers, John 'Scotch Jack' Dickson to take him there along with Ian Barrie his right-hand man. When they arrived at The Blind Beggar, Dickson waited outside while Ronnie and Ian Barrie went inside. Cornell and Albie Woods (fellow Richardson gang member) were seated at the bar. When Cornell saw Ronnie he calmly said, "Well look who's here" in a sneering sort of way. Ronnie did not say a word. He took a 9mm Mauser pistol from his pocket and shot Cornell. Ian Barrie fired some shots into the ceiling. They both turned around and walked out as calmly as they had walked in.There was a record playing on the juke box that had been hit by one of the ricocheting bullets. It was 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore' by the Walker Brothers and it kept repeating, "the sun ain't gonna shine any more...any more...any more..." It wasn't long before Ronnie was arrested and put on an identification parade. The witnesses couldn't (more likely wouldn't) identify Ronnie and he was released, a sign of the hold and respect East Ender's had for the Kray Twins. Kray was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder three years later and remained in prison until his death in 1995.
Bio by: Kieran Smith
Advertisement
